SH 249 - Todd Mission to Navasota

This project extends SH 249 on new location spanning approximately 10 miles from FM 1774 to SH 105 in Grimes County.

Project Overview

Previously, this project was environmentally cleared with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on Sept. 9, 2016, as a 10-mile, two-lane roadway on new location with direct connection to SH 105. The roadway originally was tolled and included passing lanes in alternating directions and frontage roads on half of the alignment.

Then the project was updated and the roadway would no longer be tolled. The updates removed the passing lanes and frontage roads. Several previously proposed grade-separated intersections were to be at-grade intersections. Adjustments in the alignment to avoid right of way impacts to wetlands and other sensitive environmental features were also proposed.

Changes have been made to update and provide a grade separation at FM 1774, grade separation and ramps at CR 304, widen shoulders from 8 feet to 10 feet, provide passing lanes in alternating directions, add entrance and exit ramps at CR306, extend CR 306 reconstruction to FM 1748 and add bridge over FM 1748.

Approximately 600 acres of right of way would be required, a reduction from 623 acres and there are no residential or commercial displacements. The right of way would accommodate future widening to a four-lane divided roadway. Information concerning services and benefits available to affected property owners and information about the tentative schedule for right of way acquisition may be obtained from the district office at the address listed below.

Williams Brothers Construction Company has been selected as the design-build consultant team. Environmental re-evaluation, preparation of construction plans and right of way acquisition has been completed. Construction is underway and is estimated to be completed in 2022.

Project Background

A recommended study area for the proposed project was presented at an open house on October 29, 2013. Based on comments from the open house, TxDOT identified additional environmental constraints for design considerations. An evaluation process was started to identify and compare potential routes with the project purpose and needs.
Six alternatives were presented at the open house on April 3, 2014. Alignment B3 was recommended to be compared to the no-build alternative.
After considering comments and input received from the April 2014 open house and study findings, a hybrid alternative combining alternatives B and C was identified.
TxDOT then analyzed a variety of alternatives to refine the alignment between CR 304 and CR 306 in response to public comments. This effort yielded the preferred blue alternative for this area in October 2015. The remainder of the preferred alignment for the corridor remained unchanged.
TxDOT continued the environmental process and was granted access to properties along the blue route for further evaluation. During this evaluation process, additional environmental issues were identified resulting in TxDOT eliminating a portion of the blue alternative to avoid grave sites and impact to streams.
TxDOT presented two alignment alternatives for the area between CR 304 and CR 306 (noted in yellow and green) for public input during the June 30, 2016, public hearing to gain public input.
Based on the final Environmental Assessment, TxDOT has selected the green alternative.
The Bryan District presented the updated plan at the Jan. 25, 2018, open house meeting, due to the decision not to toll and further environmental evaluation.
Updated schematics since the January 25, 2018 open house public meeting were posted on the project page summer 2018.
Since the posting of summer 2018 schematics following the January 25, 2018 open house public meeting, it was determined to provide the menitoned updates. The current schematics are below under Downloads section.

Benefits

The proposed improvements are expected to provide the following, as outlined in the purpose and needs identified by the SH 249 Working Group:

Improve safety: Crash rates on FM 1774 and SH 105 exceed the statewide average
Address traffic growth: Since 1980, traffic has increased 274 percent on FM 1774 and 197 percent on SH 105
Improve regional connections: Provide transportation system continuity to surrounding area
Address evacuation needs: Increase evacuation capacity during emergencies

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Downloads